Jim Harbaugh visits San Jose State practice

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh speaks with the San Jose State football team after its spring practice on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. (Terrell Lloyd/San Jose State athletics)

SAN JOSE -- San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh made a guest appearance at Thursday's San Jose State spring practice.

Harbaugh, sporting his classic look of khakis, black 49ers crew neck sweatshirt and black 49ers cap, watched the last hour of practice. He chatted with Spartans coach Ron Caragher, Harbaugh's successor at the University of San Diego, and with NFL prospects and former SJSU players David Quessenberry and Ryan Otten.

Harbaugh said he liked the energy he witnessed during the Spartans' spring workout.

"With the 49ers, we really have a great relationship," Harbaugh said. "Our guys worked out here during the lockout. Justin Smith is chomping at the bit to come back and run the ramp here."

While Caragher and Harbaugh never worked together at San Diego, they've maintained a friendship while Harbaugh continually kept an eye on his former program.

"He's been great support over the years," Caragher said of Harbaugh. "Whether texting us after a big win, it's cool that he still had an eye on USD even though he was at Stanford or the 49ers."

Harbaugh spoke to the team for about 10-15 minutes after practice and took a couple questions. He later met briefly with San Jose State quarterback David Fales, who could be among the top quarterback targets in the 2014 draft.

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Quessenberry, a three-year starter at left tackle for the Spartans who is projected as a mid-round pick in April's NFL Draft, enjoyed getting to meet Harbaugh.

"Just listening to him give a speech at the end and talking to him a little bit during practice, you can tell he's a real special coach and you can tell why he's been so successful," Quessenberry said. "He's a passionate guy, knowledgeable guy."